Patek Philippe Christmas Collection

MTR · 2022-12-23T20:10:22Z

Explore MTR's emotional journey acquiring a Patek Philippe Aquanaut, battling hype vs. passion. Insights on collecting, negotiation, and the true value of luxury watches.

MTR

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

71 replies11405 views5 photos

MTR, a long-time Patek Philippe enthusiast, shares a deeply personal account of acquiring a new Aquanaut, a watch he initially resisted due to market hype. His post delves into the emotional and rational conflict of purchasing a highly coveted timepiece, offering a candid look at a collector's journey. This piece resonates with anyone who has grappled with the allure of a watch against their own collecting principles.

I fell in love with this watch. Bang!!

I did not want to. I fought back. I mentally have said goodbye to Patek. For various reasons.

I especially don’t like the hype surrounding Patek.
The many "fans" outside of our circle of friends here who just care about posing. I didn't want to be part of this hype...

And now it's happened...

I love it when a watch is beautiful AND functional. The case nestles harmoniously around the wrist. The dial is balanced, tasteful and harmonious (especially no date window in a different color!!), the functions are really practical, there is sufficient water resistance (12 bar). This beautiful Aquanaut has it all.

Would I judge the same if it were a Seiko and not a Patek, for example? Would I have taken it then? Most likely: yes! But certainly not at this insane price. 🙏

Although I have to say one thing: I negotiated really hard today. I would have gone. I would not have bought. All or nothing. I played poker. All in one. And (this time) won.

I am now the proud owner of this wonderful, new, unworn watch. And all that at a - just about - acceptable price. Life is really good to me.

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Key Points from the Discussion

The decision to acquire a Patek Philippe, even for a seasoned collector, can be driven by emotional connection rather than brand prestige alone, especially when the watch aligns with personal preferences.
Even collectors who have expressed a desire to move away from a brand can experience a 'moment of weakness' when presented with a compelling offer for a desirable reference.
The true value of a luxury watch, like a high-performance automobile, lies in its intrinsic qualities and the owner's appreciation for its engineering and design, rather than solely its status symbol.
Despite its comfortable wear, the Aquanaut reference can be perceived as too large for some wrists, highlighting the importance of trying on a watch before purchase, irrespective of its popularity.
Successful negotiation for a high-value timepiece can involve having a strong BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) and leveraging factors like year-end sales targets.
For a passionate collector, a watch must evoke 100% passion and emotion to warrant a purchase, leading to highly selective acquisition criteria.

The Discussion

MTR

Dec 23, 2022

But I HAD to do this. It was a must! The Neo Tourbillon will not arrive before April or May. So I have time to fund it. I simply will sell some watches I rarely wear. For sure not my IWC MR!! For sure not my IWC Da Vinci!! For sure not my BP FF in RG!! For sure not my Rolex Deepsea!! OMG!!! 🤪

MTR

Dec 23, 2022

Perhaps(!!): But I'm not sure if that will save me. Hahahahaha Perhaps also this one: But: NO!!!!! Uffff, this will end in a massacre…

LiftAngle51

Dec 23, 2022

Normally i do ignore watches which for some reasons are for my reasons not a chance i want one. For you i make an exception, because you wrote in emotion. I am happy for you you get it on an unusual way and with much luck. Simply a brand is a brand, some brands are crazy fantastic and some brands like the material you can find in a toilet hole. For Patek there is room when it is a kind of watch which match my preferences. The world is calling it the best. Ok, when Rolls Royce is the best car, a

Clueless_Collector

Dec 23, 2022

Also congrats on the coming 6K posts, great timing.

MTR

Dec 23, 2022

I really appreciate your posts in general because they are always honest, straight forward and with a clear attitude. I can 100% subscribe to everything you write. In and of itself I am a very rational person and spending so much money is definitely not easy for me, it was earned too hard for that. Only when it comes to watches do I add a lot of emotion. And when both are combined in one watch, namely pure emotion and rationality, then nothing can stop me. 🙏

MTR

Dec 23, 2022

Right. Did not even notice that. Thank you so much for your kind words.

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